Spur-Bearing Apple Trees

Most apple tree varieties spur bearing.

Apple trees produce fruit in different ways. Depending on the variety, the tree may grow fruit on the tips or on the spurs of branches. Apple trees that produce fruit on the small, thorn-shaped branches that extends off a main tree branch are known as spur-bearers. Apple trees known as tip-bearers produce fruit on the tips of the branches from the previous year. Spur-bearing apple trees are best for home growers because of their smaller size and ease of care. There are several low-chill apple varieties that thrive in the mild climates of U.S. Department hardiness zones 8 through 10 , such as "Beverly Hills," "Dorsett Golden" and "Einshemer."

Spur-Bearing

To determine if you have a spur-bearing apple tree, look for thick, thorn-like growth, which are the spurs. When fruit production begins, the apples develop on the spurs. Spur-bearing apple trees offer a tidy and compact appearance and produce fruit on the two-year-old wood. Spur shoots form on the axils of leaves on long shoots. The spurs have short internodes and have a short stocky appearance. Spur-bearing apple trees have large, branched long-lasting spur shoots.

Tip-Bearing and Partial Tip-Bearing

Tip bearing fruit trees are less common than spur-bearing trees. The fruit buds are located on the tips of long shoots produced the previous year. The branches look sparse and untidy when compared to spur-bearers. Tip-bearing cultivars include "Cornish Gilliflower" and "Irish Peach." Partial tip bearers exist as well. These produce fruit on both the previous year's shoot tips and on spurs of trees. Common cultivars of partial tip bearers include "Discovery" and "'Worcester Pearmain."

Pruning Spur-Bearing Apple Trees

Spur-bearing apple trees require a different pruning method than tip-bearing apple trees, so it is important to determine which type you have before pruning to prevent cutting off the fruiting wood. Spur-bearing trees can withstand more severe pruning than tip- and partial-tip bearers, because pruning these types of trees shorten root tips and reduce fruit yield. This makes spur-bearing trees the best choice for use as espalier and cordons.

Benefits of Spur-Bearing Apple Trees

Spur-bearing apple trees are better suited for growing in backyard, because they are about 70 percent smaller. You can more easily prune them, without worry of reducing fruit yield, and care and harvest is easier because of the smaller size. Some types of spur-bearing trees produce fruit at a younger age than tip-bearing varieties and produce more fruit per tree than other varieties. Spur varieties have an upright, stiff growth habit, which helps reduce limb breakage and allows trees limbs to hold heavier crops.

About the Author

Based in Indiana, Molly Allman holds a B.A. in professional writing. She works as both a writer and author and enjoys writing articles on many different topics. She specializes in topics concerning health, crafts, family and lifestyles. Her fiction writing appears in "Bewildering Stories," "The Other Herald" and "Spectacular Speculations."